In a historic moment for college baseball, LSU stars Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews were selected as the first and second overall picks in the 2023 MLB Draft, shortly after leading their team to a College World Series championship. The Pittsburgh Pirates chose Skenes, a dominant right-handed pitcher, while the Washington Nationals secured Crews, a standout outfielder.

This marks the first instance where college teammates have held the top two spots in the draft. Skenes's impressive season, with a 12-3 record and a staggering 209 strikeouts in 122 innings, solidified his position as a top prospect. He also earned the Division 1 Baseball National Player of the Year and SEC Pitcher of the Year awards. His selection makes him the first college pitcher to be chosen first overall since 2018.

Crews also had a remarkable season, boasting a .426 batting average, 18 home runs, and an impressive 26-game hitting streak. He led the nation in runs scored (100) and walks (71), culminating in him receiving the Golden Spikes Award, recognizing the best amateur baseball player in the U.S., and the SEC Male Athlete of the Year award.

For the Pirates, this is the second consecutive year with the No. 1 draft pick, following their selection of catcher Henry Davis in 2022, who recently made his major league debut. The Pirates are hoping Skenes can have a similar impact on their organization.